NASB or LBLA all the way. :)
The Geneva (Breeches) Bible. Avoid those modern Catholic inspired innovations like the KJV.
I always found the KJV easiest for memorization but prefer NIV, NKJV, or ESV for study and reading.
To each his own when it comes to Bible translations.
However, I have no patience for the “cult of King James”; those that believe its the only true Bible.
ESV all the way.
Ever use Bible Hub? Very useful for side by side comparing.
Not care for the pc NIv, key verses missing or adulterated. KJ is too easy to miss ideas with as old English is not my englisk, tho NKJV is ok.
Favorite is NASV, and I also enjoy Darby for its subtle language and conservative view.
For casual reading, I like the NKJV. However, each translation is the work of art by scholars and don’t necessarily capture the full intent and meaning of the original writings. It’s advisable to read from several translations to get the meaning.
But when I quote the Bible in my writing, I tend to use the King James. Bearing in mind that it is based on the sloppily-assembled Textus Receptus (Erasmus was a brilliant scholar but his work on scripture left MUCH to be desired. Guess he was rushed to win the contest...).
I’ve always liked the Lolcat Bible.
John 1:5
Teh lite iz pwns teh darks, but teh darks iz liek “Wtf.”
John 3:16-17
So liek teh Ceiling Kitteh lieks teh ppl lots and he sez ‘Oh hai I givez u me only kitteh and ifs u beleeves him u wont evr diez no moar, kthxbai!’17 Cuz teh Ceiling Kitteh not snd hiz son 2 take all yur cookies, but so u cud maek moar cookies 4EVAR!
Personally — and just for myself: you do what you like — I find the KJV has Majesty, Beauty, and the lovely Music of the English tongue. It takes some study, a good Concordance, and more effort than some; but it has a subtle sense of transcendental Power many of the others lack.
VMMV, but I like it best.
Why settle for one?
When I am doing a study, I read the same passage through different versions. Where there are differences, I use Strong’s and try to get the meaning through the original Hebrew or Greek. This often leads to new insight.
KJV been pretty solid for 400+ years. It can be tricky to read. I am following this thread to see what other FReepers are reading. I am cautious about trying different translations. Contrary to another comment, a word or tense can make a significant difference.
Only select a word for word translation Bible (e.g. NASB, ESV, New King James). Stay away from paraphrased Bibles like NIV, Living Word, etc. God’s Word is true. Men are liars.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him: and without him was made nothing that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to give testimony of the light, that all men might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but was to give testimony of the light. 9 That was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in his name. 13 Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15 John beareth witness of him, and crieth out, saying: This was he of whom I spoke: He that shall come after me, is preferred before me: because he was before me. 16 And of his fulness we all have received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18 No man hath seen God at any time: the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
I once asked a Greek scholar if the Greek had a ‘high’ Greek, similar to the high English found in KJV. He said, “No”. The high English appeals to the flesh of many, but has no spiritual benefit.
Although it is not perfect, I like the KJV and have at least 20-30 different editions of it. I wish someone would produce a Catholic version of the KJV. The closest you can come to that now is the Cambridge editions that include the “Apocrypha”.
Peter Kreeft has also wanted a Catholic KJV for some time: http://www.newoxfordreview.org/article.jsp?did=0400-kreeft
I like the Dead Sea Scroll version.
You should learn how to translate it for yourself, that is the whole point. I mean, eveyr atheist I meet tells me the Bible has been translated and retranslated and who inows what is in it now, but then they make no effort to read original texts directly derived from the hebrew virtual word for word transcription.
The KjV is difficult to read because it is not English, but really Hebrew using english words.
I’ve alwayas found the JB Phillips version to be precise, easy to read.